Pack it in | Strap down all your gear securely

While we’d all love to take off on a spontaneous adventure, in reality adventures take a lot of boring planning. Not least when it comes to packing up the car. Here are some packing tips to make things easier.

Balance the load

Make sure weight is evenly distributed throughout the car rather than in one place. This advice also applies to the car passengers – if your car is packed to the hilt and the boot is fully loaded, the heaviest passenger should be sitting in the front seat. Also keep the weight of the items on your roof racks to a minimum to keep the centre of gravity of the car as low as possible for better road stability.

Get the right gear

Investing in the right racks and straps is a key packing tip and can make getting you, the family, everyone’s bikes, the tent, chairs, stove and the kitchen sink in a breeze. Well, if not a breeze, then certainly easier. Roof racks are a great way to get bulky items out of the boot, as can trays and shopping baskets. Bike and surfboard racks are also worth it to make sure none of your toys are left behind. We stock a full range of Rhino Rack products, the best in the biz.

Secure the roof

Properly secure your load to your car roof - in the event of a sudden stop, you don’t want your items to become loose. Use suitable restraint equipment that is rated appropriately for that load, and regularly check throughout your road trip that the load is as secure as you left it. It’s best to check after the first 10 or so kilometres and at each stop. If possible, you should also get a second person to double check the fastenings before you leave.

Watch the tunnels

Pay attention to height restricted areas - not just signposted ones, but any garage, tunnel, bridge, carpark - even tree limbs. Placing a sticker on your steering wheel with the height of your load will be a reminder as you drive.

Take care on the road

There are inherent risks associated with driving a fully loaded car. This is even if you have been considerate in packing the car safely and within its legal limits. A fully laden car will handle differently, require a longer distance to come to a stop, and in an accident will be a much greater risk to the safety of you and others on the road than an empty one. Drive extra carefully and cautiously, even below the specified speed limit. As always, it’s better to be safe than sorry.